ISLAMABAD: Afghan­istan’s Taliban government has welcomed the recent stance by Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan against the establishment of foreign military bases in and around Afghanistan, according to a Dawn.com report.

This position was affirmed in a joint statement released after foreign ministers from the four countries met on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. They emphasised respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and said re-establishment of foreign military bases is “not conducive to regional peace and security.”

According to Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban government, his country not only welcomed the stance of the four countries but said that “Afghanistan will not allow its territory to be used against other countries, nor permit armed groups to operate from its soil.”

US President Donald Trump said recently Washington was trying to get Bagram airbase in Afghanistan back. For their part, the Taliban government in Afghanistan rejected his demand.

Fitrat termed the idea of “Afghanistan posing any threat to other countries baseless”. He said Afghanistan was taking serious steps against corruption, drugs and all kinds of undesirable issues and considers this process its responsibility.

Separately, the Jamaat-i-Islami claimed that a party delegation, led by Prof Muhammad Ibrahim, met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during a visit to Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2025